Kael walked silently down the hallway until he reached Gretel’s room.
As soon as they entered, he let go of her as if her touch weighed on him.
Gretel smiled immediately as she fixed her hair and walked toward him with obvious intention.
“I thought you would never look at me that way again,” she said as she moved closer.
Kael remained completely still, watching her.
When Gretel tried to kiss him, he raised one hand, stopping her before she could touch him.
“Stop.”
Gretel’s smile disappeared almost as quickly as it had appeared on her lips.
“What’s wrong?”
Kael looked away for a few seconds before answering.
“I’m not going to do anything with you.”
Gretel stared at him in disbelief. This was not the same man who had seemed ready to be with her only moments ago.
“I thought you wo
